Harper College’s new Banana Lounge offers free bananas, space to connect

Students in need of a quick snack on the go, or a place to relax and connect, can grab a free banana at Harper College’s new Banana Lounge.

Located at the crossroads of Buildings X, Y and Z on the first floor of the Avanté Center, the repurposed lounge will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Math and Science Division student aides will staff the space.

Math and Science Associate Professor Raeghan Graessle drew inspiration from a similar lounge at her alma mater, MIT. She and Sarah Eftefield in the Math and Science office envisioned a space that would build community, support students who may not get enough to eat and demonstrate that Harper cares.

According to Harper’s most recent student financial wellness survey, 34% of students experience food insecurity. That means they may eat less, skip meals or go hungry because of financial constraints, Graessle said.

“If I have my class in front of me, that’s a third of my students who might be hungry at that moment,” she said. “I’ve had students who are hungry in class. It’s hard for them to concentrate. We know bananas are nutritious, pretty filling and easy to grab. Having a banana could make the difference in whether a student can concentrate and do their best that day in class.”

Graessle said the survey also revealed that some students feel lonely and disconnected. She hopes the Banana Lounge will become a fun, bright and welcoming destination where students can spend time with one another.

“Now there’s a space on campus called the Banana Lounge, which just is kind of hilarious and fun,” she said. “It’s becoming a center of innovation and creativity for students and staff and faculty. There are students from graphic arts who want to make the logo, stickers and create tasteful banana decor. I've talked to nutrition professors who want their students to post posters about good nutrition. It’s becoming a teaching space as well as a student community space that feeds students, and that’s exciting.”

The Banana Lounge was established with support from a Resource for Excellence Grant funded by the Harper College Educational Foundation. Harper has partnered with food service company Sodexo to supply the bananas.

“We will have over 100 bananas a day available to start, but we are also ready to grow if the need is more than that,” she said. “The Banana Lounge is an in-your-face kind of tangible way Harper College is loving on its students. It’s innovative and creative, but we’re keeping it simple. Just free bananas. If you’re hungry, grab one. They’re there for you.”